FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) – Fort Wayne hospitals are departing from previous practice and not announcing the first babies born in the new year out of safety and privacy concerns.

Both Lutheran Health Network and Parkview Health said they would not publicize the births Thursday because of guidance provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which cautions against such announcements because of the potential risk of abduction or identity theft.

Lutheran says in a statement that its first obligations are to the safety and privacy of its patients despite the interest in the first babies born in the new year.

Hospitals in other cities across the country have adopted similar privacy policies. However, hospitals in the South Bend and Indianapolis areas announced their first births Thursday.